posted Mar 3, 2013, 10:52 AM by Bobby Clark
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updated Mar 3, 2013, 10:58 AM
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Furman Univeristy, Greenville, South Carolina - On February 16th, eleven young student orators gave impressive displays of talent and message as they competed for $1,000 in prize money for the annual Joseph Vaughn Oratorical Competition. The eleven students come from across Greenville County and spoke on the theme "Building the Beloved Community through civil discourse and mutual understanding". This year's first place winner was Destin Sayles (Grade 10), J.L. Mann Academy of Math, Science, and Technology. The program was the final event for this year's MLK Celebration sponsored by Furman University, General Electric, and Alpha Phi Alpha Greenville Foundation & their sponsors.
The other ten participants were Daniel Arnold (Grade 11), Wade Hampton High School; 3rd Place Zachary Dawson (Grade 12), Riverside High School; Richard Dunbar (Grade 11), Christ Church Episcopal School: Kanesha Jackson (Grade 12 ), Southside High School: Patience Kearse (Grade 11), Eastside High School; 2nd Place Chaubey Nishesh (Grade 11) Southside High School; Nykila Norman (Grade 11), Southside High School; Amani Richburg (Grade 9), Greenville Senior High School Academy of Academic Excellence; Lorenzo Scott (Grade 10), Greer Middle College Charter High School; and Jarod Wright (Grade 10), Woodmont High School.
"The Greenville Community has a lot of talented students and this contest was a good display of the talent that exist in Greenville County. All students did an outstanding job in presenting their oration on the theme", said Michael Chatman, Chairman of this year's event. "I want to wish each of the Contestants well in all of your future endeavors in life."
Dr. Idella Glenn, Assistant Dean of Diversity & inclusion, Furman University,echoed those sentiments, "I just wanted to thank the students again for their participation in the contest. Their speeches were thoughtful and inspiring.", Furman University is a long-time supporter of this contest which was first held in 2008 at Furman University's Chapel.
The program's Master of Ceremonies was Bro. Rayfus Haywood, and was judged by Mr. Nick Graham, Engineering Team Leader, GE Power and Water; Ms. Taylor Mitchell, Furman University sophomore; Dr. Echol Nix, Professor of Religion, Furman University; Ms. Maya Smith, Health Educator, Greenville Hospital System; and Ms. Katrina Walker; Nursing Education Specialist.
The competition was sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Greenville Foundation, Furman University, General Electric, as well as AGF Gala Sponsors: Gamma Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, The Blood Connection, Vision Plus, Piedmont Natural Gas, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, and US&S, Inc.
More information about the contest history and format along with a brief history of Joseph Vaughn, Furman's First African American Graduate, can be found on the Oratorical Effort page on this website.
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